His Muted Bride

14 The Ring Given by Ivan

Megan had a dream that night. She dreamed of giving birth to her baby. However, before she could see her baby's face, Stacy suddenly showed up and took her baby away. Megan was crying and screaming behind Stacy but she refused to turn away. She could only see her baby's clenched little fist as Stacy took it away.

Megan woke up in the middle of the night, forehead covered by a fine film of cold sweat. Ivan also opened his eyes. He groped to pull his wife in his arms, asking gently against her ear, "What's wrong, honey? Did you have a bad dream?"

That dream was too real and too horrific… But Megan still shook her head. She didn't want Ivan to be worried. She wondered how Ivan would react if he got to know that she was actually not Stacy…

"I think I heard you screaming…" Ivan sighed, "Are you sure you're okay?" She probably had screamed, but Megan couldn't remember. She couldn't stop shaking from the horror. Ivan's arms tightened around her waist, "Don't be afraid, Stacy. Whatever you're worried about, you know we will face it together." He meant to comfort but those words broke Megan's heart.

Face it together? She wondered how much time they had left together. She was not Stacy. And Stacy was gonna steal everything away from her.

Megan buried her face into Ivan's firm chest for a while. When she felt better, she pressed his chest and propped herself up.

Suddenly, Megan felt something slide into her clasped hands. She opened her hands and saw an exquisite jade ring. "This belonged to Grandpa. I want you to have it. Grandpa said this ring was blessed with a lucky charm. It will protect its owner when its owner is in danger…"

Megan thought she couldn't take it if it was Ivan's lucky charm. So she tried to open Ivan's hands and give it back. But Ivan already put the ring on her finger, "We've never had a wedding. Just consider it as our wedding ring. You're pregnant now yet I still can't see. Knowing you have the ring with you makes me feel safe." The ring felt cold and smooth around her slim finger. It was beautiful under the moonlight. Megan decided to guard it with her life. Reclining in Ivan's arms, Megan fell asleep soon. With the lucky charm on her finger, she didn't have any bad dreams anymore that night.

Megan woke up quite early on the second day. She hid the ring up to a place only she knew, so Stacy wouldn't see it. Perhaps the ring was the only thing she could keep as a gift from Ivan.

After knowing Megan was pregnant, Stacy showed up more frequently in the house. When Megan finished cooking the soup, Stacy was already standing by the door, arms folded.

"How are Ivan's eyes right now? Can he finally see things very soon?" Her sister asked. Megan didn't want to answer her, but she was in her way. So she nodded. Stacy looked surprised and happy, "So, Ivan will get well soon? What can he see right now? Can he see shapes or silhouettes?" Something suddenly struck Stacy as she stood straighter, "Can he see my shape right now?"

Megan ignored her and walked away, but Stacy grabbed her by her arm, "You must let Ivan know that you're also treating your voice lately. I will talk when he can see. I'm not gonna pretend to be a mute before him forever. Do you understand?"

Megan didn't make any response as she went upstairs. Stacy didn't follow up this time. She didn't want to take any risks since Ivan's eyes were getting better right now. When Ivan had his sight back, he would become the king he used to be. Stacy was sure that Ivan would not let her down…

…

Megan prepared a herbal bath for Ivan again as he was drinking the soup. The bath was also good for his eyes. When Ivan was taking the bath, Megan was staying in their room while flicking through her notebook, trying to figure out new solutions for Ivan's treatment. The sound of footsteps made her look up at the door. She had learned different sounds of footsteps in the house, knowing it was not from May or Lee.

The visitor turned out to be Jason. Megan shot up instantly in alert and blocked the door of the bathroom, but Jason smiled at her, waving a hand, "Don't be nervous. After all, we are cousins. I won't really hurt him. And today, I'm not here to see that dork. I'm here for you, Mrs. Hendrix."